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DTNA showcases automated Freightliner Cascadia at Las Vegas event

Jan 08, 2019

Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has introduced the first SAE Level 2 automated truck in series production in North America with the latest enhancements to the Freightliner new Cascadia. Level 2 automation means the truck is capable of both lateral (steering) and longitudinal (acceleration/deceleration) control, and is part of the truck technologies featured by DTNA at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

According to NHTSA, 94% of crashes are attributable to human error. Automating acceleration, deceleration and steering reduces the chance for human error, mitigates collisions and can potentially save lives. These technologies can also enhance the driver experience by making the truck-driving task easier, thereby improving driver comfort and well-being.

DTNA’s expertise in automation is backed by Daimler Trucks, which announced at CES an investment of more than half a billion dollars and an addition of more than 200 new jobs in its push to put highly automated trucks (SAE Level 4) on the road within a decade. Most of these jobs will be located at the new Daimler Trucks Automated Truck Research & Development Center at DTNA’s headquarters in Portland OR.

In May 2015, DTNA pioneered automated driving with the introduction of the Freightliner Inspiration Truck, the first automated truck licensed to operate on US public highways. Today, the new Cascadia delivers SAE Level 2 driving capabilities with the Detroit Assurance 5.0 suite of camera- and radar-based safety systems.

The system can accelerate, decelerate and steer independently. The Detroit Assurance 5.0 Adaptive Cruise Control and Active Lane Assist features make automated driving possible in all speed ranges in a series production truck:

•Adaptive Cruise Control to 0 mph—Improves safety, efficiency and driver comfort by automatically decelerating and accelerating to maintain a safe following distance.

•Active Lane Assist—Consists of Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Protection. When Adaptive Cruise Control is enabled, Lane Keep Assist supports the driver by using micro-steering movements to keep the new Cascadia centered in its detected lane. With Lane Departure Protection, if the truck begins to drift without the turn signal engaged, the system will counter steer the truck back into its lane and give an auditory and visual warning.

The Detroit Assurance 5.0 active safety and advanced driver assistance systems are designed to keep truck drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists safe:

•Active Brake Assist 5.0—The fusion of Detroit Assurance 5.0 camera and radar technology detects moving pedestrians and cyclists in front of the truck and can deploy full braking. It can also detect and mitigate a collision with full braking on moving and stationary vehicles and objects.

•Side Guard Assist—Detects objects, including pedestrians and cyclists, in the passenger-side blind spot for the tractor and a full-length 53-foot trailer, and delivers an audible and visual warning.

Detroit Connect Analytics provides fleets with analysis and key insights on the performance of the new Detroit Assurance 5.0 safety features. Fleets will be notified if drivers have their hands off the wheel for longer than 60 seconds.

The new Cascadia delivers a 35% improvement in fuel efficiency compared with the first Cascadia introduced in 2007. This equates to annual savings of up to 4,700 gallons of fuel per truck.

Aerodynamic enhancements to the new Cascadia include Aerodynamic Height Control. This electronically lowers the suspension height at 55 mph to optimize airflow over and under the front of the truck and reduce drag. Other enhancements include Michelin X Line D+ Energy tires developed in collaboration with Michelin, which reduce rolling resistance in 6x4 applications, and a low ground clearance bumper.

Another critical component of the new Cascadia’s performance is its Integrated Detroit Powertrain, a combination of a proprietary heavy-duty engine, transmission, and axle that is designed to seamlessly work together for maximum efficiency. The integrated powertrain features Intelligent Powertrain Management 6, which uses the truck’s kinetic energy to automatically adjust to the truck’s surroundings by reducing braking power and making transmission and engine adjustments, saving fuel and reducing wear and tear on components.

For fleets concerned with fuel economy, Detroit Connect Analytics will also introduce new Intelligent Powertrain Management reporting capabilities, and the fuel analysis will indicate if the vehicle is using Aerodynamic Height Control.